Super Rugby match preview - Reds v Hurricanes
The Reds have dropped Mike Harris to the bench for Friday's Super Rugby fixture with the Hurricanes in Brisbane.
Last Updated: 27/02/13 5:39pm
Aidan Toua has recovered from a hamstring problem and is preferred to Harris at full-back, while back-row forward Radike Samo joins the bench in place of the injured Jarrad Butler.
One of half-back pairing Ben Lucas and Quade Cooper will assume kicking duties in Harris' absence, which Reds director of coaching Ewen McKenzie explained was a tactical decision.
"We are a team that prides itself on being adaptable and capable of changing our game-plan on a week-to-week basis and that is reflected in our team selections," he said.
"We have strong thoughts about how the game is going to be played and feel that Aidan really has something to offer in this match from full-back.
Healthy
"Having Radike healthy once again is also pleasing. We all saw the impact he made with his involvements during the trials and we'll be looking for a repeat performance when he's called upon on Friday night."
The Hurricanes, who lost at home to the Blues in their opening match of the competition, also make one alteration to their starting XV.
Jeffery Toomaga-Allen returns at tighthead prop in place of Ben May, while captain Conrad Smith is fit to lead the side after recovering from a concussion.
On the bench, Motu Matu'u is preferred to Ash Dixon as the replacement hooker and James Broadhurst replaces the injured Mark Reddish.
Reds: 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Ben Tapuai, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Eddie Quirk, 5 Ed O'Donoghue, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper (capt), 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Albert Anae, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Radike Samo, 20 Nick Frisby, 21 Mike Harris, 22 Luke Morahan
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Conrad Smith (capt), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Reggie Goodes, 18 James Broadhurst, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 James Marshall, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo
